The military junta currently in control of Burkina Faso took a concerning step by expelling the correspondents of two prominent French newspapers, Le Monde and Liberation, which further highlights the decline of press freedom and strained relations with France in a country grappling with jihadist violence.
The expulsion of Sophie Douce from Le Monde and Agnès Faivre from Liberation occurred on Saturday evening, and both journalists returned to Paris on Sunday morning. This action follows the suspension of the France 24 television channel five days ago and Radio France Internationale (RFI) four months ago. It is worth noting that only French media outlets have been subjected to sanctions by Burkinabè authorities thus far.
The relationship between Burkina Faso and France has deteriorated significantly since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power on September 30, 2022, marking the second coup in eight months in Burkina. This has resulted in the expulsion of the French ambassador and the withdrawal of the 400 French special forces soldiers stationed in the country. Additionally, Burkina denounced a military assistance agreement signed with France in 1961.
Le Monde and Liberation promptly responded to the expulsions, condemning the actions as “unacceptable” and “arbitrary.” Liberation asserted that the journalists, Agnès Faivre and Sophie Douce, were operating legally in Burkina Faso with valid visas and government-issued accreditations, and therefore the expulsions were entirely unwarranted.
Both newspapers call for the local authorities to reverse the decisions and restore the conditions for independent journalism in the country. Le Monde defended its journalists, emphasizing their dedication to unbiased reporting, free from external influences or pressures.
